Form structure for concrete walls



I Jun 20,1939. v g, s 2,162,8

FORM, STRUCTURE FOR CONCRETE WALLS Filed April 23, 1957 June 20 ,.1939. 1 A. H. sYMoNs FORM STRUCTURE FOR CONCRETE WALLS n MW 2 A 5 vF .J.

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Patented June 20, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FORM STRUCTURE FOR CONCRETE WALLS Application April 23, 1987, Serial No. 138,555

3 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to form structures for use in the formation of concrete walls. More particularly the invention relates to that type of form structure which is adapted to be assembled at the place of use and comprises a pair of laterally spaced panel formed walls and a plurality of combined spreader and tie devices which extend between and through the two walls, embody central parts for spacing the walls a predetermined distance apart and preventing relative inward movement of the walls, and have clamping elements at their ends for preventing separation of the Walls during pouring of the concrete therebetween.

One object of the invention is to provide a form structure of this type which may be assembled more readily and quickly than previously designed form structures of the same general character, dispenses with vertical wales behind the wall forming panels and contemplates quick and ready alignment of the panels. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide a form structure of the type under consideration which in addition to the pair of laterally spaced panel formed walls and the combined spreader and tie devices, comprises uprights which are disposed in opposed relation and between the wall formzing panels, serve as vertical Wales and have shoulders against which the side margins of the panels abut and by which the panels are maintained in proper alignment.

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide a'form structure'of the last mentioned character in which the combined spreader and. tie devices have screw rods at their ends which extend through the uprights, carry the clamping elements, and also carry C-clamps for clamping the side pieces of the panels against the side faces of the uprights.

A further object of the invention is to provide a form structure of the last mentioned type and character in which the clamping elements for securing the walls against separation during pouring of the concrete therebetween are in the form of nuts which bear against the central portions of thee-clamps on the screw rods and when tightened urge the C-clamps inwards against the side pieces of the wall forming panels and thus cause the panel sides to be brought into abutting v relation with the shoulders of the Wale forming uprights.

A still further object of the'invention is to provide a form structure which is generally of new and improved construction and serves in an efii- 5 cient and effective manner its intended purpose.

'Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the presentform structure will "be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more'particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denotecorrespo'ncling' parts throughout the several views:

Figure '1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a form structure embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective illustrating the manner in which the uprights are held in opposed relation by the central parts of the combined spreader and tie devices;

Figure is an enlarged horizontal sectional D View showing one of the combined spreader and tie devices and the manner in which the c-clamps on the screw rods at the ends thereof serve to hold the side pieces of the wall forming panels in clamped relation with the side faces of the uprights; v p

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3 and showing the manner in which the nuts which constitute the clamping elements for preventing separation of the walls during pouring of the concrete therebetween bear against the central portions of the C-clamps on the screw rods and urge the clamps inwards so as to cause the sides of the wall forming panels to be brought into abutting relation with the shoulders of the uprights;

Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 3 and illustrating in detail the arrangement and design of the c-clamps on the screw rods at the ends of the combined spreader and tie devices; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective of the wedge carrying part of one of the C-clamps.

The form structure which is shown in the drawings constitutes the preferred embodiment of the invention. It is adapted for use in the formation of a concrete wall and comprises a pair of laterally spaced walls 1 and a plurality of com bined spreader and tie devices 8. I

The walls are adapted when in their assembled or operative position to have concrete poured therebetween for wall forming purposes and are formed of rectangular panels 9 and uprights ID. The panels are positioned in side by side relation and also one above the other, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, and comprise board formed facings II and rectangular frames I2. The facings II are nailed or otherwise fixedly secured to the inner side faces of the frames I2 and are maintained flush with the inner faces of the uprights it, as hereinafter described, so that the concrete wall which is formed between the walls 'I of the structure has flat side faces. The frames I2 comprise side pieces I3, bottom pieces I4 and top pieces I5. The top pieces rest on and are fixedly secured to the upper ends of the side pieces I3 and the bottom pieces I4 fit between and are secured to the lower ends of the side pieces. In addition to the side pieces I3 and the bottom and top pieces I4 and I5 the frames I2 comprise wooden side strips I6. The latter fit against, and extend longitudinally of, the outer faces of the side pieces I3 and are nailed or otherwise fixedly secured in place. The lower ends of the strips I6 are flush with the lower or bottom end edges of said side pieces I3 and the upper ends of said strips terminate adjacent to the top faces of the top pieces I5 of the frames. The front or inner edges of the side strips I6 are flush with the front or inner faces of the side pieces I3 and form with the side edges of the board formed facings I I longitudinal grooves I] along the side margins of the panels. The uprights II! fit between the panels 9 and are disposed in opposed relation, as illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3. They are formed of wood or any other suitable material and have side enlargements I8 along the inner side portions thereof. These enlargements fit within the grooves II in the side margins of the panels and define shoulders I9 against which the inner edges of the side strips I6 abut. As shown in Figure 3 the side enlargements I8 are the same in width as the side strips I6 are in thickness. Because of this the inner faces of the board formed facings are flush with the inner faces of the uprights when the panels are properly disposed with respect to the uprights, that is, when the panels are in their operative position with the outer side faces of the side strips I6 in abutment with the side faces of the uprights and the inner edges of the side strips in abutment with the enlargement formed shoulders I9.

The combined spreader and tie devices 8 extend between the uprights III and serve to hold the walls I in spaced relation. They embody central parts 20 for spacing the walls a predetermined distance apart and preventing relative inward movement of the walls and have screw rods 2| at their ends. The central parts 20 are disposed between the uprights and each comprises a pair of laterally spaced rods 22, a pair of helical springs 23 between the ends of the rods and a pair of centrally apertured cones 24 in alignment with the springs. The springs 23 of the central parts of the combined spreader and tie devices are welded to the ends of the rods 22 and define internally threaded sockets 25. The inner ends of the screw rods 2| extend through horizontally extending holes 26 in the uprights III and have externally threaded extremities 21 which project beyond the flat inner faces of the uprights and fit within the internally threaded sockets in the helical springs 23. The central portions of the screw rods are in the form of shoulder forming enlargements 28 which abut against the outer faces of the uprights. The centrally apertured cones 24 are mounted on the externally threaded extremities 2! of the inner ends of the screw rods and fit between the springs 23 and the inner faces of the uprights. In assembling the combined spreader and tie devices 8 the inner ends of the screw rods 2I are inserted through the holes 25 and said rods are shifted inwards until the enlargements 28 are brought into abutment with the outer faces of the uprights. Thereafter the cones 24 are mounted on the external extremities 27 of the screw rods and the screw rods are turned in order to screw such extremities into the springs 23. When the screw rods are tightened to their fullest extent the uprights III are clamped against the cones 24 and the latter together with the rods 22 serve to space the uprights apart. The outer ends of the screw rods 22 have external screw threads 29.

The combined spreader and tie devices 8 in addition to the central parts 20 and the screw rods 12! comprise C-clamps 3i] and nuts 3|. The C- clamps 3B operate to urge the side pieces I3 of the frames of the panel toward the uprights and clamp the side pieces I8 against the side faces of the uprights. They are mounted on the outer ends of the screw rods 2| and comprise C-shaped frames and movable jaw members 32. The frames are adapted to extend horizontally, as shown in Figure 1, and consist of central or intermediate portions 33 and inwardly extending arms 34 and 35. The central portions 33 of the frames have transversely extending apertures 36 through which the. outer ends of the screw rods 2I extend. The arms 34' of the C-shaped frames are disposed in opposed relation with the arms 35 and embody fixed J'aw members 31. The arms 35 embody transverse slideways 38 and are substantially equal in length to the arms 34. The jaw members 32 are mounted in the slideways 38 for sliding movement to and from the jaws 31 of the arms 34 and have vertical longitudinally extending slots 39 in their central portions. Wedges 40 extend through these slots and operate when driven in the direction of their small ends to move the jaw members 32 inwards against the adjacent or contiguous side pieces I3 of the frames of the panels. The inner ends of the jaw members 32 are in the form of enlarged head parts M and the outer ends of said jaw members have headed pins 42 extending therethrough for preventing the jaw members from sliding out of engagement with the .arms 35 of the clamp frames. The wedges 43 are preferably arranged with their small ends facing downwards and extend between the enlarged head parts M of the jaw members and the inner faces of the arms 35. The lower or small ends of the wedges are deflected or bent at right angles (see Figures 4 and 5) so as to prevent the wedges from sliding from the slots 39. In applying the C-clamps the frames are slid inwards on the outer ends of the screw rods 2i until the arms 34 and thereof are arranged in straddled relation with the side pieces of the frames !2 of the panels. 48 are driven downwards so as to move inwards the movable jaw members 32 and bring the jaw members 3'I and the head parts M of the jaw members 32 into clamped relation with the side pieces I3 of the panel frames I2. When the Wedges 49 are driven downwards to their fullest extent the side pieces of the panel frames are locked or held in clamped relation with the uprights. When it is desired to release the G-clamps 38 it is only necessary to drive the wedges upwards. This frees the movable jaw members 32 so that they are permitted to move inwards. The apertures 36 in the central parts 33 of the clamp frames are horizontally elongated so that the frames are horizontally movable with respect Thereafter the wedges to the screw rods; 2|. .The nuts 3| are mounted on the outer ends of the screw rods 2| and are positioned outwardly of the C-clamps 30. They have internal screw threads for receiving the external screw threads 29 on the outer ends of the screw rods and are adapted when tightened to force the panels 9 inwards in order to bring the inner edges of the side strips l6 of the panel frame into abutment or clamped relation with the enlargement formed shoulders I9 along the inner portions of the uprights Ill. Ordinarily the nuts are arranged so that they abut against the intermediate or central portions 33 ofthe clamp frames, as shown in Figure 3. When the nuts are so arranged and are turned so as to move them towards the uprights N! the clamp frames are shifted inwards and the central parts 33 thereof serve to move the panels inwards and to bring the front or inner edges of the side strips l6.

into clamped relation with the enlargement formed shoulders I9.

In order to prevent warpage of the walls 1 the form structure includes or comprises a pair of horizontal wales 43. These wales, as shown in Figure 1, are arranged in vertically spaced relation and extend transversely across the outer faces of the frames of the panels of one of the walls. They are located on opposite sides of the outer end of one of the screw rods 2| and straddle the frame of the C-clamp which is associated with the one rod. Clamping of the wales 43 against the adjacent panels is effected by means of the nut on the aforementioned one screw rod. This nut, as shown in Figure 1, fits against a square washer 44 which is mounted on the screw rod and has inwardly extending top and bottom flanges in lapped relation with the wales.

In assembling the form structure the combined spreader and tie devices 8 are first applied to the uprights H], as hereinbefore pointed out. There'- after the uprights are placed in a vertical position and the wall forming panels 9 are positioned adjacent to the sides of the uprights and are shifted or moved so as to bring the shoulder forming enlargements I8 along the inner portions of the uprights into interfitting relation with the grooves Thereafter the clamps 30 and the nuts 3| are mounted on the screw threads 29 at the outer ends of the screws rods 2|. At the conclusion of this step or operation the clamps are shifted inwards in order to bring the arms 34 and 35 of the frames into straddled relation withthe side pieces l3 of the panel frames l2. After so shifting the clamps the wedges 40 are driven downwards by a hammer or similar tool in order to shift inwards the movable jaw members 32 and thus cause the clamps to force the panels sidewards towards the uprights and bring the strip equipped side pieces into clamped relation with the sides of the uprights. After driving the wedges 40 downwards the nuts 3| are tightened so as to force the clamp frames inwards and thus bring the inner edges of the strips l6 into abutment or clamped relation with the enlargement formed shoulders I9. Preferably the nuts 3| are provided with outwardly or radially extending webs 45 so that they may be turned by striking them with a hammer or like tool. The wales 43 are assembled by placing them in a horizontal position across the panels of one of the walls and in straddled relation with the outer end of the aforementioned one screw rod 2| and then clamping them in place by way of the washer 43 and the nut on said one screw rod. After the nuts are tightened the wedges 40 are preferably further drivenintoplace in order to insure proper clamping of the panelsagainst thesides of the uprights. After a concrete wall has been formed or made by pouring concrete between the two walls 1 and permitting it to set the structure is dismantled. This is accomplished or effected by first loosening the nuts 3| and then releasing the C-clamps 30 by driving upwards the wedges 40. After loosening of the nutsand release. of the (D -clamps the panels 9 are removed from the sides of the uprights Ill, Thereafter the screw rods 2| are removed from the springs 23 of the central parts of the combineds'preadenand tie devices by turning or rotating them sothat-they move away from the rods. 22. ,Upon disconnectionof the externally threaded extremities 2'l of the screw rods from the springs 23the uprights H1 arereleased and may be removed from the, concrete wall. After removal of the rods 2| from connected relation with the springs 23 the cones 24 may, if desired, be removed from the concrete wall.

The herein described form structure due to the construction and arrangement of the parts, may be quickly and readily assembled. If desired the uprights l may be assembled with the combined spreader and tie devices 8 therebetween by the manufacturer and shipped in unit form to the user. Due to the fact that no nails or permanent attaching devices are employed the structure may be readily dismantled and the parts thereof with the exception of the central parts 20 of the devices 8 reused. The central parts 20 of the devices 8, that is, the rods 22 and the springs 23, remain in the concrete wall and serve as reinforcement for the latter.

Whereas the walls I have been shown as comprising but two uprights I0 it is to be understood that any number of uprights may be used depending upon the length of the concrete wall to be formed. It is also to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a form structure of the character described, the combination of a pair of laterally spaced walls adapted to have concrete poured therebetween and comprising opposed uprights with shoulder forming enlargements along the inner portions thereof and panels fitting against the sides of the uprights, elongated devices for holding the walls in spaced relation extending between and through the uprights, adjustable c-type clamps on the ends of the devices for clamping the panels sidewise against the sides of the uprights, and means applied to said ends of the devices outwardly of the clamps and oper ating through the latter to urge the panels inwards and maintain the side margins of the latter in clamped relation with the enlargements.

2. In a form structure of the character described, the combination of a pair of laterally spaced walls adapted to have concrete poured therebetween and comprising opposed uprights having shoulder forming enlargements along. the inner portions thereof and panels fitting against the sides of the uprights, elongated devices for holding the walls in spaced relation comprising central parts between the uprights and screw rods connected to the end of the central parts and extending through and beyond the uprights, ad-

justable c-clamps mounted on the projecting ends of the screw rods for clamping the panels sidewise against the sides of the uprights, and nuts mounted on said projecting ends of the screw rods outwardly of the clamps and adapted when tightened to bear against the clamps and cause the latter to urge the panels inwards and maintain the side margins thereof in clamped relation with the enlargements.

3. In a form structure of the character described, the combination of a pair of laterally spaced walls adapted to have concrete poured therebetween and comprising opposed uprights with shoulder forming enlargements along the front portions thereof and panels with side pieces in abutment with the sides of the uprights and longitudinal grooves in the front side corners thereof for receiving the enlargements, elongated devices for holding the walls in spaced relation comprising central parts extending between and serving to prevent inward movement of the uprights and screw rodsat the ends of said central parts extending through the uprights and projecting outwardly therebeyond, adjustable C- clamps loosely mounted on the projecting ends of the screw rods and adapted to straddle the side pieces of the panels and urge the latter to- Wards one another against the sides of the uprights, and nut type clamping elements mounted on said projecting ends of the screw rods out- Wardly of the clamps and adapted when tightened to bear against the clamps and cause the latter to urge the panels inwards and maintain said front side corners thereof in abutting or clamped relation with the enlargements.

ARTHUR H. SYMONS. 

